Al Baba expands in Dubai

Sweets maker plans outlets across region

Al Baba Sweets will open a new branch in Dubai this July. The outlet will have an area of 120 square meters, alongside a terrace. The branch, which will be named ‘Dar Al Baba’, is the third branch of the traditional Lebanese sweets shop in Dubai and the fourth in the UAE.

The company has an outlet in Abu Dhabi. The UAE outlets are served by a 500 square meter factory in Dubai.

Bachir Al Baba, Partner and Production Manager at Al Baba Sweets, said: “We are pursuing a broad expansion plan in different countries.” There are plans to open an outlet in Al Ain in the UAE, and two other outlets in Qatar and Oman. “These plans however are still not final,” Al Baba said.

Al Baba Sweets produces some $3 million worth of sweets per year.

The company has five local outlets. It does not have plans to open new branches locally, on the short to medium term. “Sales in the local market declined by about 20 percent due to the turmoil in Syria and the insecurity and economic slowdown,” said Al Baba.

Al Baba Sweets exports its products to several countries worldwide. “Our products are exported through courier services provider DHL to wherever there are Lebanese expatriate communities, even as far as Japan,” Al Baba said. The company’s products are available in London, through Maroush London, and in France through other suppliers.